Background: This retrospective study looked at the diagnostic yield and accuracy of stereotactic biopsy in individuals with intra-axial mass lesions.

Method: This study comprised 200 individuals (128 males and 72 females) with intra-axial mass lesions (170 single lesions and 30 multiple lesions) with an average age of 52.8 years. Between 2005 and 2014, stereotactic image-guided (126 MRI and 74 CT) biopsies for histological verification were done at Tanta University Hospital's Department of Neurosurgery. In 180 patients, the surgery was performed with local anesthetic. In 30 patients, the histological results of SBB were compared to resected tissues obtained via craniotomy after SBB.

Results: In 197 cases, samples were diagnostic, with a diagnostic yield of 98.5 %. The overall rate of biopsy-related morbidity was 1%, with no deaths. The histology diagnosis of the two procedures were identical in 25 patients. In three cases, the histology findings were somewhat different without affecting patient care. After craniotomy, the diagnostic of stereotactic biopsy was completely revised in two patients. The accuracy was 99 %.

Conclusion: Despite the small number of patients who underwent resection, the results of this study showed that SBB of brain masses is a safe and accurate procedure for obtaining sufficient samples for histological diagnosis and thus planning the best therapeutic options for patients. The outcome of stereotactic biopsy is largely determined on good communication between the pathologist and the neurosurgeon, to get the best tissue sample possible. It can replace a significant number of open craniotomies for biopsy purposes.